Taking care of your skin during air travel is super important. All that dry, recycled air can wreak havoc on your skin, not to mention all the germs floating around, so it's a good idea to take some preventative and healing measures along the way. I wanted to share a few of my go-to products and tips (all TSA approved!) to ensure fresh and hydrated skin upon landing. First and foremost, drink tons of water. I always bring a refillable water bottle, and fill it up before boarding (post-security), and then have the flight attendants refill it multiple times throughout the flight. This is key for staying hydrated from the inside, out. In terms of skin, I always try to fly makeup-free, with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin. This will help get you started on the right foot. I always keep some type of face mist in my carry-on, whether it's Caudalie Beauty Elixir or Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray. A spritz or two is always a nice, refreshing pick-me-up when my skin starts to feel stale or parched. If you really want to take your face spritz to the next level, I suggest investing in The Pocket Spa by Kelley Quan. This compact, refillable personal humidifier hydrates and moisturizes your skin using only water, leaving you with youthful and dewy-fresh skin! It also prepares the skin for and increases the efficacy of all your other products to follow. Once the skin is prepped, I apply moisturizer: I'll either bring an oil like Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, or a moisturizer like Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, both of which are great at locking in moisture. I also make sure to have a thick ointment, like Glossier balm dotcom or Lano Lips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, which can be used on your face & lips, hands & cuticles, or any other dry spots you may have. For longer flights, and maybe if I have a bit of privacy in business class, I'll bring a sheet mask like Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask or SK-II Facial Treatment Mask. These may look silly while they're working their magic, but I promise your skin will thank you upon arriving. Maybe you're not willing to go this far in public, and that's alright- just apply one once you've reached your final destination. Lastly, I love this Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy. It's said to give an invigorating sensory lift when applied to your pulse points during times of stress or nausea. If nothing else, it leaves you smelling lovely with the aroma of lavender, macadamia nut, sweet almond, and ginger oils. By incorporating these tips and products into your travel routine on a regular basis, I hope you'll notice an improvement in your skin's overall look and feel just as I have.
fave products // sunday riley luna night oil
Luna Sleeping Night Oil by Sunday Riley has been a true savior ever since I incorporated it into my skincare regimen. This retinoid oil helps improve skin's plumpness while fighting the appearance of wrinkles, pores & redness, all while you sleep! Wake up to glowing, luminous, and more youthful looking skin. Blue tansy and German chamomile essential oils are rich in soothing blue azulene, which helps to calm irritated or sensitive skin, leaving you with a beautiful even-toned complexion! I love that Sunday Riley's products are formulated without parabens, sulfates & phthalates, and are all cruelty-free! Luna Sleeping Night Oil is proven to improve skin's radiance, smoothness & fine lines, and the mix of retinol ester & potent botanicals is sure to transform your skin for the better!
glow facial mask
While I have a daily skincare regimen that I like to follow, I also have some "once-a-week" or "once-a-month" rituals that are just as important. Face masks can be a great way to hydrate & rejuvenate your skin, and these days you can find them in several versions- think sheet, gel, or clay. One of my favorite ways to mask is by creating my own in the comfort of my own kitchen! That way, I know exactly what's going into it, as well as the benefits each ingredient offers my skin. Think about it this way- you cook your own food to control what you put into your body, and to nourish it from the inside out. Creating your own face mask allows you to take the same approach, and nourish your body from the outside, in! While it may look like baby food, I'd happily eat this mask any day (it's that delicious)! My glow facial mask will help take your skin from dry & dull to healthy & glowing! It boasts many impressive qualities to help your skin look & feel its best- Greek yogurt acts as an anti-inflammatory & can calm the skin; avocado works as a soothing moisturizer; oats are used to exfoliate & remove dead skin; apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties & helps reduce redness; lemon juice acts as an astringent to brighten & tighten skin; honey fights off bacteria & hydrates, leaving your skin soft & supple; turmeric reduces inflammation & pigmentation, and is high in antioxidants. So as you can see, this is a nutritional powerhouse for your skin. Glowing & radiant skin awaits, so get to masking!
Glow Mask:
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, plain & unsweetened
- 1/4 cup avocado, mashed
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, making sure everything is incorporated evenly. Set bowl in refrigerator or freezer for 15-20 minutes to chill, which allows ingredients to come together & adds a bonus cooling effect bonus for your skin. Massage evenly onto skin, and leave it to set for 15-20 minutes. Scrub off thoroughly with warm water. Pat skin dry. Spritz face with rosewater & moisturize. Makes enough for two masks. Can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
*Because turmeric can stain your skin if left on for a long time, you may want to wear gloves when applying this mask. Also be sure to fully remove it when rinsing (a wash cloth helps)!
**If you prefer a smooth mask, you may choose to blend before chilling. Pulse until no chunks remain, and the oats are pulverized.
fave products // dr. hauschka arnica body oil
If you're looking for something other than your typical body lotion to keep your skin soft and supple, something that truly moisturizes your skin, this is the product for you. Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Energizing Body Oil has been a godsend ever since I first received it as a gift a few months ago. It revives the body & awakens the mind after any sort of strenuous activity when your body really needs the rejuvenation. Plant extracts and jojoba oil come together to create a refreshing & hydrating oil that absorbs quickly and won't leave you feeling greasy. As someone with sensitive skin, I can honestly say that this serves its purpose & then some, without irritating my skin in the least. Even better is that this product is free of parabens, dyes, fragrances & preservatives, and the brand does not test on animals! If you try it out, be sure to let me know what you think!
fave products // ouai dry shampoo
If you're like me, you don't like washing your hair every day (or even every other day). It's better for your hair to skip a day or two anyways, but sometimes it's hard to keep it from looking dirty or greasy. Ouai Haircare is a new line by hairstylist Jen Atkin, and I can say from personal experience that the dry shampoo is totally legit. It allows you to get that extra day or two out of a wash by soaking up the grease, while giving your roots a bit of added texture. Even better is that it doesn't leave any weird color behind, and smells lovely as well! She collaborated with industry experts in both formulation & design, and the result is pure genius. Jen says "With OUAI, I wanted to create 'a breath of fresh hair'- a line for real life, fo real women". This rings true in the effectiveness and affordability of her products. Next up on my must-try list are the texturizing hair spray and wave spray.
top shelf // a la ITG
If you're a follower of Into the Gloss like I am, then you've seen The Top Shelf posts that are featured on both their site and Instagram feeds. #ITGtopshelfie has become super popular, so I wanted to partake in the fun! Here is a peek at my medicine cabinet, featuring tons of my favorite products. You can read more details about each item on my morning routine, bedtime routine, and gettin' glam posts! I will also continue to post new finds, must-have products, and amazing brands that I use & love, so be sure to check back!